Nature & Experience Promotion Campaign “Grape-picking”

This banner greets everyone

   The theme this time is “Nature and Experience Promotion Campaign”, so after examining several activities which fit the theme, we decided to go to Kyohoen, where you can experience grape-picking with minimal materials close to Kochi City.

Having fun in Nankoku City with the Ryoma Passport!

Kochi City CIR Marisa

   The cold weather has all but disappeared, and spring, the season where Japan’s beautiful cherry blossoms start to bloom, has begun. As it gets warmer it becomes a waste to spend your days curled up at home, so why not head out and use your Ryoma Passport! You can use it as if you were playing a gamecollecting stamps, and moving up levels.

 

We used our Ryoma Passports to try Shamo chicken in Nankoku!

Shamo nanban ricebowl

   Gomen Machi in Nankoku City is famous for its shamo cuisine, and the chickens raised there are called “Gomen Kenka Shamo”. It is said to have been a favorite dish of Sakamoto Ryoma. Furthermore, these “Gomen Kenka Shamo” are rare in Japan due to being purebred, the same as when they were once eaten by Sakamoto Ryoma. Shamo is known for its firm meat and chewy texture.

 

   In Nankoku City, approximately 20 restaurants located around the JR Gomen Station area provide shamo cuisine, and of these, 15 accept the Ryoma Passport. When we investigated, the standard shamo dish was “nabe” (hotpot), however we found you could eat a whole range of shamo-based foods in the area, including “shamo teppan-yaki” (shamo cooked on a hotplate), “shamo koumi-age” (shamo that is deep-fried after being seasoned with herbs or spices) and shamo pizza. We were surprised that there was such a mix of shamo dishes available!

“Let’s get to know Japan!” ~Tosa Knife Crafting and Nankoku City Bus Tour~

   On May 27th, The Nankoku City International Association (NIA) is hosting a hands-on Tosa knife crafting workshop, and a bus tour visiting a horticultural park and Kokubunji temple, which is quite lively in the current pilgrimage season.
   Please apply after checking the itinerary and information below. The deadline for applications is May 15th.
   Additionally, participants are limited to persons of foreign nationality (they will have priority) and NIA members.

 

Event Details

Date:

5/27/2017 (Sat.)

 

Meeting Places and Departure Times:

8:20 at the Nankoku City Office, 8:30 at the Gomen JR station

Ending Location and Time (planned):

14:50 at the Gomen JR station, 15:00 at the Nankoku City Office

Workshop and Tour Locations:

Toyokuni Ltd. in Kameiwa, Nankoku City (knife crafting), Nishijima Horticultural Park, Kokubunji Temple

Participation Fee:

￥4,000 (blade and whetstone included, lunch not included)

 

Lunch:

Nishijima Horticultural Park. You may bring a lunch or buy one at the park.

Insurance:

Accident insurance coverage (date of birth required)

 

Number of Participants:

20

Application & Inquiry:

Ms. Nagano, NIA mumsachi@yahoo.co.jp
080-3162-2310

 

More info:
Please see the attached file (PDF).

Invitation to the Shikoku Pilgrimage Experience

   The Junior Chamber International Japan, Shikoku Area Kochi Block Council is planning to hold a mini Shikoku Pilgrimage event. And Nankoku-shi International Association will be supporting it.

 

   If you participate in this pilgrimage event, you will learn a lot about henro, pilgrimage, culture through the members of JC and the English guides.

【Date】

   August 28, 2016 (Sun)

【Time】

   8:00（in front of the Nankoku City Office entrance）～ 17:00

　　　　　　　
【Itinerary】

   5km walking pilgrimage from Dainichiji to Kokubunji

   Dainichiji, Konan City: Worship Etiquette・Temple Explanation・Worship（Offerings)
   Kokubunji, Nankoku City: Worship (Offerings)・Temple Explanation
   Transportation to Chikurinji will be by bus
   Chikurinji, Kochi City: Worship (Offerings)・Temple Explanation・Sutra Transcribing

 

【Fee】

   Free

 

【Accident Insurance】

   Participants are insured against accidents

 

【Lunch】

   The Junior Chamber International will provide tomato curry

 

【Clothing】　　　

   Clothes and shoes that are comfortable to walk in

 

【Things to Bring】

   Water bottle・change of clothes (if necessary)・towel
　If you suffer from car sickness, please bring motion sickness medication.

 

【Deadline for Entry】

   August 10th.

 

【Inquiries】

   Sachi Nagano, Nankoku-shi International Association
   TEL: 080-3162-2310
   Email: mumsachi@yahoo.co.jp

 

Get in touch with Kochi’s Natural Side at “Nishijima Horticultural Park”

They’re even more delicious
when you pick them yourself!

Surrounded by Flowers and Fruits…

   Stepping into this Horticultural Park is like finding yourself in paradise—you are surrounded by tropical plants and have access to fruits like watermelons and Japanese melons year-round. This time, we tried our hand at strawberry picking! There is no time limit, and it’s all-you-caneat. The strawberries we picked ourselves and ate on the spot were very delicious. It’s so popular that you have to go early in the day before they run out. Sadly, this year’s season is over, but Nishijima has many other attractions that we will introduce below.

 

Watch Yamaguchi Sagi Style Kyogen with Foreigners!

Sponsor: Nankoku-shi International Association (NIA)
Ticket Reservations (Deadline: 6/10) and Questions:
080-3162-2310 (Ms. Nagano)
mumsachi@yahoo.co.jp
koromo2006@yahoo.co.jp
(NIA members have priority for tickets. If the event approaches capacity, non-members may be denied entry) 

NIA BUS TOUR 2015

UNESCO World Heritage HIMEJI Castle

Presented by:
   Nankoku City International Association, NIA

Date:
   June 7th (Sun.)

Attraction:　  
   HIMEJI Castle (Some parts of the costructon is designated as a national treasure)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
   Hito to Mirai Boosai Center (The museum of protection against disasters)

Join Us for Japanese Study!

We (Nankoku City International Association, NIA for short) have 2 classes a beginner level and an intermediate level.

The class details are as follows;

NIHONGO-KYOOSHITSU・にほんごきょうしつ(Intermediate class)
  Term 2015-5-13～2016-2-21 Every Wednesday (without only the last class)
  Time 19:00~21:00
  Place Nisshoo Fukushi Kooryuu Center (Nankoku city Tamura 2207)
  Fee  100yen per class.
 This class will also support you to prepare for the JLPT exam.(JLPT N2～N１)

  

NIHONGO SHABERIBA!・にほんごＳＨＡＢＥＲＩＢＡ！ (Beginner class)

  Term 2015-5-13～2016-2-21 Every Wednesday (without only the last class)
  Time 19:00~21:00
  Place Nisshoo Fukushi Kooryuu Center (Nankoku city Tamura 2207)
  Fee  100yen per class.
 This class places great importance on speaking. There are many Japanese volunteers who will help you progress in Japanese by having conversations in each class.

Delicious Seasonal Foods! A Visit to Road Station Nankoku Café Resto Furari

Entrance to Café Resto Furari.

  

   Near the Nankoku Interchange can be found the Road Station Nankoku Café Resto Furari, home of a popular Morning Buffet where you can eat tons of fresh vegetables. Furari is registered in “Yasai de Genki-ten PLUS,” a list of shops that provide menu options that prioritize using Kochi local produce.

No 29 Pilgrimage Site Kokubunji

The History of Kokubunji
   Kokubunji was constructed under the imperial decree of the 45th Emperor of Japan, Emperor Shomu. It was established in 741 by the high priest Gyoki, and restored under Kukai. Back then, the area surrounding Kokubunji was part of the Tosa domain, and a provincial governor better known for his work as an author of the Tosa Diaries stayed there for 4 years.

The roof where work has been completed on the main temple structure.

Second Annual “Shout Gomennasai in the Heart of Nankoku city”

   We say ‘gomennasai’ every day, right?
   The word ‘gomennasai’ is a magic word.
  

   When you say this word with courage, the person who says it, and also the person it is said to, get the feeling of being saved.  A heartfelt ‘gomennasai’ is not just a simple apology to another.  In it there surely exists a feeling of compassion for the other person.

   In saying the one word, ‘gomennasai’ you can forgive each other.  In this word there lies the power to make everyone happy.

   Here in Nankoku City there is a town called ‘Gomen.’  In “Nankoku City, The Sacred Land of Apologies,”  won’t you throw aside your vanity, pride, and prestige and try shouting ‘gomennasai’ with honesty from the bottom of your heart?

   Surely you will discover a self that is different from yesterday.

Let’s Speak Japanese [NIHONGO DE HANASOO! NIHONGO SHABERIBA!]

   We are here to support you with your Japanese learning!
   This class is for beginners.　You can also join some Japanese culture activities in the term. Our class has many Japanese volunteers that will help you study. They will provide you with information about the Japanese culture and KOCHI city. The class’s main aim is to help you speak ability will improve in our class.

 

Japanese Language Lesson for Foreigners in Nankoku City

   We are here to support you with Japanese language studies.
   This class is for intermediate level and higher level learners.
   We are also ready to assist you in your JLPT examination.
 
Every Wednesday
  Time:19:00~21:00
  Term: 2014-5-１４ ⇒ 2015-2-１１
*We do not have the class in the summer holiday ; <the whole month of August>
and the winter holiday ; <in December 24th 31st>
*You can start any time.
  Place: NISHOO FUKUSHI KORYUU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
       *There is parking available.
  Fee: 100yen per class.
 
*To enroll for this class or if you have any questions for this class, please contact NIA Tomonaga 
  TEL: 090-4332-7652     
  Email: salut_steramalis@yahoo.co.jp

Nankoku City’s Shamo Hotpot

Shamo hotpot, born from the
locals pride for Nankoku City.

Revitalizing Nankoku City—The Gomen Shamo Research Consortium’s Initiative
   Shamo were originally bred and raised not for consumption, but for cockfighting. In the old days, birds that lost their fights were used for food in hotpot dishes, but today they are hardly ever eaten. However, we wanted to do something to make Nankoku City into a place that children could be proud to call home! We wanted to revitalize our city! The people of Saitani in Nankoku, had a custom of making shamo hotpot as a memorial to Ryoma Sakamoto (※), so in 2008, five other volunteers and I started city revitalization efforts by combining our “impressive local history” and “bountiful and fresh vegetables”.
(※ It is said that Ryoma Sakamoto loved shamo hotpot and was making it right before he was assassinated.)

 

Japanese Language Lesson for Foreigners

   We want to support you with Japanese language studies.
   This class is for intermediate level and higher level learners.
   You can study for JLPT examination too.

  Time:19:00~21:00
  Term: 2013-5-8 ⇒ 2014-2-9 ※you can start any time.
  Place: NISHOO FUKUSHI KORYUU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
             There is parking avarable.
  Fee: 100yen per class.
  To apply and if you have any questions for this class, please contact NIA Secretariats Tomonaga 
  TEL:  090-4332-7652
  Email: salut_navigatoria@yahoo.co.jp

Let’s Speak Japanese NIHONGO DE HANASOO! NIHONGO SHABERIBA!

   We want to support you with your Japanese learning!
   This class is for biginners.You can also join some Japanese culture activities in the term. Our class has many Japanese volunteers that will help you study. They will provide you with information about the Japanese culture and KOCHI city. The classes main aim is to speak as much as you can in Japanese, your speaking will improve in our class.
   Let’start learning Japanese!

  Time: 19:00~21:00
  Term: 2013-5-8 ⇒2014-2-9  (you can join any time.)
  Place: NISHOO FUKUSHI KORYUU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
             There is parking avarable
  Fee:100 yen per class.
  To apply and if you have any questions about this class, please contact the NIA Secretariats Tomonaga.    
  TEL: 090-4332-7652
  Email: salut_navigatoria@yahoo.co.jp

"Monuments of Life –Earthquake and Tsunami Monuments in Kochi" Exhibition

A monument in Hagidani, Tosa City

   There are monuments of earthquakes and tsunamis erected in Kochi. Exhibiting primarily their rubbed copies, we seek to learn what people in those days wanted to transmit to posterity through these monuments, and think about the actions of people after the earthquakes.

 

Corner Exhibit: TOYS OF THE ORIENTAL ZODIAC SIGN: MI (SNAKES)

A Rokuhara paper-mache snake in Iwate Pref.

   Following the summer special exhibition, about a hundred ‘Mi’: snake (the Oriental animal zodiac sign of next year) toys will be on display from Shigeru Yamasaki’s collection of more than 12,000 local toys.

 

   On November 23 (holiday/ Fri) we will be inviting the staff of ‘Soryusha’ as instructors, and they will demonstrate how to paint paper-mache snakes. On December 1 (Sat) the museum curator will give a talk in the exhibition room.

 

Special Exhibition “Swords of the Mononofu (Samurai) Spirit - Noted swords from Bizen and swords with historical connections to Tosa”

   This exhibition will be displaying three groups of swords. Group 1 is old swords mainly from Bizen, which was among the 5 Old Countries of Yamashiro (old Kyoto), Yamato (old Nara), Bizen (old Okayama), Sagami (old Kanagawa) and Mino (old Gifu).

 

 

Tosa Yoga

   Tosa Yoga was founded in 2000 by Oliver Stymie Reinsch. Their five highly qualified teachers are from America, Australia, and Japan. Tosa Yoga uses a blend of yoga styles including Iyengar, Asthanga, Viniyoga and Feel-good Yoga to stretch, strengthen, and relax the body. It also helps clear the mind, and enlighten the soul. They hold classes in Kochi City, Nankoku City, Tosa City, Shimanto City and Kuroshio Town.